Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

I have a confession: I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day. I know, I know. It’s a holiday celebrating love. What’s not to, well, love? I adore the idea of celebrating those we cherish but truthfully, I sometimes think it’s all just a bit much. Overpriced flowers. Complicated and overpriced dinners. Boxes of chocolates filled with strange flavors where you just pray for the chocolate covered caramels. Well, I can’t do much about the flowers or the prix-fixe dinners, but I am going to share an amazing recipe for Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups that are simple, inexpensive, and way better than those heart shaped box options! Your Valentine will love them. And so will you.

One of the best parts of these easy little treats is that they are essentially no-bake. All you need is a few bowls, a spoon, a mini muffin tin, and a microwave. In less than 20 minutes (including chill time!), you can have perfectly decadent chocolate cups in your hot little hands or on their way to your own Valentine.

All of the ingredients for these Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups can be found at any local grocery store. I like to use chocolate chips for their ease of melting. Ghiradelli is my go to supermarket brand for these cups, but any good baking chocolate will work just fine. When using the microwave to melt the chocolates (both the dark and the white), the key is to work in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, and to not overcook! The last thing you want is lumpy, burned chocolate. The mini cupcake liners are key, and they can be found at any grocery store, Target, or Amazon. We like these for every day, but there are lots of fun patterned options out there if you want to have some fun!

One more note on ingredients: you can definitely make these with the nut butter of your choice (almond butter would be really tasty!) but know that if you’re using a natural type peanut or nut butter, the consistency will be a bit less smooth than with a standard big brand creamy peanut butter.

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? I am working late so no fancy dinners for me, but I’ll definitely be making a batch of these Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups to leave for my husband to enjoy! Happy (early) Valentine’s Day to you all.

Instructions

Make the Peanut Butter Filling

Using a microwave, heat the peanut butter mixture in 30 second intervals, until just melted.

Stir to combine and then set aside to briefly cool.

Melt the Dark Chocolate

In a small, microwave safe bowl, heat the chocolate chips in 30 second intervals until just melted. Stir frequently and do not over cook.

Prepare the Peanut Butter Cups

Line a mini muffin tin with mini cupcake liners. This recipe will make approximately 16 cups.

Using a spoon, place a small layer of melted dark chocolate in the bottom of each cup.

Allow to cool in the refrigerator for 2-3 minutes.

Add a layer of peanut butter mixture to the center of the chocolate cups.

Top each cup with a layer of dark chocolate.

Sprinkle the chocolate cups with chopped pistachios.

Place in the refrigerator or freezer to chill for 10-15 minutes or until firm. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

I have found that traditional store brand creamy peanut butter (i.e. Jif or Skippy) work best in these cups. You can use all natural peanut butter or other nut butters, but the consistency is a bit different!

Any mini cupcake liner will work, but I love these: https://www.amazon.com/Paper-Cupcake-Liners-Baking-90-ct/dp/B00J4VO67E/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_79_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5WQMJKKVTG4C723DA76S